Bismuth titanate (Bi4Ti3O12, BIT) particles with different morphologies were synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal process and their optical and photocatalytic properties were investigated. The crystal structure and microstructures were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). XRD patterns demonstrate that the as-prepared BIT samples have layered perovskite structure. FESEM shows that BIT crystals can be fabricated in different morphologies by simply manipulating the reaction parameters of the hydrothermal process. The UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-Vis DRS) reveal that the band gaps of the BIT photocatalysts are about 2.88-2.93 eV. The as-prepared BIT photocatalysts exhibit higher photocatalytic activities toward the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation (λ>420 nm) when compared with traditional N-doped TiO2 (N-TiO2). The influence of morphology on the photocatalytic properties of BIT was also studied. BIT nanobelt structures displayed the highest photocatalytic activity. Up to 95.0% MO was decolorized after visible light irradiation for 360 min.

Fund: The project was supported by the Key Laboratory of Preparation and Application of Environmentally Friendly Materials of the Ministry of Education of China and Doctoral Scientific Research Project of Jilin Normal University, China.